Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Fetal PCB Syndrome: Clinical Features, Intrauterine Growth Retardation and Possible Alteration in Calcium Metabolism

1985; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Volume: 59; Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3429872

1552-9924

Fumiyoshi Yamashita, Masao Hayashi,

Folate and B Vitamins Research

Pregnant mothers with Yusho in Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Kochi Prefectures delivered babies with a peculiar clinical manifestation which will be called fetal PCB syndrome (FPS).The birth rate incidences were 3.6% (Fukuoka Prefecture), 4% (Nagasaki Prefecture), 2.9% (Kochi Prefecture) and 3.9% (total).The manifestations consisted of dark brown pigmentation of the skin and the mucous membrane, gingival hyperplasia, exophthalmic edematous eye, dentition at birth, abnormal calcifi'cation of the skull as demonstrated by X-ray, rocker bottom heel and high incidence of light for date (low birth weight) babies.We suggest that there may be a possible alteration in calcium metabolism in these babies, related to the fragile egg shells observed in PCB-contaminated birds and to the female hormone-enhancing effect of PCB.The high incidence of low birth weight among these newborns and two other similar studies indicated that PCBs supress fetal growth.